Sterile modular facility

ABSTRACT

A modular vivarium is constructed entirely from transportable, sterile modules of distinct types, called pods. A hallway pod forms a spine, with cage-rack pods, ingress/egress pods and optional VHACPIT pods providing HVAC, power and IT services connected as spur pods to the hallway. Supplies and waste are also within modular pods. Temporary or single-use seals cover doorways during transit. Modules are joined or removed while maintaining sterility on both sides of the flush-to-wall doorway junction. Supply and return air for all pods is through hallway based ducting. Pods may be constructed from ISO intermodal containers. Embodiments have no permanent buildings. Pods may be moved, leveled and aligned for joining via special supports. Cage-rack pods are configured with two cage racks and a single isle permitting robotic cage placement and retrieval. Embodiments provide vibration, noise and earthquake isolation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vivariums house a number of animals, typically test animals, such asrats or mice, in a number of cages, often a large number. Vivariums areexpensive and time consuming to build. Sterility and a well-controlledenvironment require expensive, specialized systems, including those tomanage airflow, temperature, and the ingress and egress of personnel andequipment. Typically, it is not possible to expand an operating vivariumor perform major maintenance on a vivarium while it is operating. Priorart vivariums are not modular.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention create a vivarium by the interconnectionof pre-made modular units, also called modules or pods. Pods may beconstructed from standard shipping containers, also known as intermodalcontainers. We identify five pod types: A cage-rack pod; a hallway pod;an HVACPIT pod; in ingress pod; and an egress pod. Other pod types maybe used. HVACPIT stands for “heating, ventilation, air-conditioning,power, and information technology,” although not all five functions arenecessary in such a pod. In an exemplary core arrangement, a centralhallway bod serves as a spine with multiple cage-rack pods connected asspurs. Two or more HVACPIT pods are also connected as spurs, or they arepart of a different embodiment and are connected conventionally, such asvia ducting and cabling. Ideally, redundant HVACPIT services to theentire vivarium by simply using two HVACPIT pods. At the two ends of thehallway an ingress and egress pod are connected respectively in a “T”formation. Alternatively, a single spur pod might provide both ingressand egress functions, as well as, optionally, storage, waste, and aprocedure space. Connecting additional hallway pods end-to-end mayextend the hallway spine. Numerous other arrangements of pods arepossible. An alternative to standard shipping containers is another typeof standardized, transportable container, such as railroad boxcars.

The benefit and typical use of the modular vivarium is rapidconstruction, expansion or reduction in size, major maintenance andre-configuration of a vivarium, including movement and re-use of pods atother locations. A key benefit over prior art is that expansion orreduction in size, major maintenance and re-configuration may beperformed on an operating vivarium. In a typical application, noservices from a site are required other than a stable pad or soil andbasic electricity. Because the standardized pods and combined podconfigurations have necessary regulatory approvals, construction andre-configuration on a specific site is speeded up by not requiring aseparate regulatory approval process for each site.

An additional benefit is that the specialized waste for the vivarium canbe removed all at once by replacing a “waste” pod with a fresh pod.Waste and supplies may be in a single swappable pod, so that newsupplies may be provided and waste removed in a single operation. Thiscan significantly reduce the costs of waste disposal, supply deliveryand reduce the chance or an undesirable leak into the environment of awaste element, including pathogens.

An additional benefit is that the specialized supplies, which are wellknown in advance, may be restocked and delivered in a single intermodalcontainer delivery, by swapping a consumed supply pod with a freshsupply pod.

Pods, in a plan view, are typically rectangular with a major axis alongits length. Thus, we may easily refer to sides and ends of a pod.However, these naming conventions do not restrict other pod shapes suchas square, hexagonal or octagonal, or non-regular shapes.

The interconnection of pods requires specialized doorways. Thesedoorways, if not connected to another pod, must be sealed to preserve asterile environment interior to the pod. These doorways must beconfigured so that a new pod may be connected to an operatingvivarium—doorway-to-doorway—without violating the sterile environment ofeither the vivarium or the new pod.

Typically, hallway pods have doorways on the sides to support spurconnections to cage-rack pods and HVACPIT and doorways on the ends tosupport connections to ingress and egress pods and additional hallwaypods. Spur pods typically have a doorway on one end to connect to thehallway spine and may have a second doorway on the other end to supportconnection to another spur pod. Ingress and egress pods typically have adoorway on each end to support movement of personnel at one end andequipment at the other end, plus a side doorway to connect to an end ofthe hallway spine. For pods with more than one doorway, not all doorwaysneed to be used.

We note that configurations as described in embodiments are not estheticor design choices but are critical to the effective implementation anduse of embodiments. Such configurations of modular components are adramatic departure from the prior art design of vivariums. As oneexample, long rows of cages in racks on along both interior walls of acage-rack pod support efficient implementation of an automated cageplacement and retrieval system. As another example, cage-rack pods asspurs to a hallway spine support efficient use and movement of procedurestations in the hallway proximal to the doorways to the cage-rack pods.Minimizing cage movement cage transfer time is a key benefit ofembodiments over prior art. Minimizing the movement of personnel tomaximize production throughput of operations is a key benefit ofembodiments over prior art.

Pods may be constructed of 40′ containers, 53′ containers, ora mix. Ifmixed, high-cube 40′ containers are preferred as then both lengths are9′ 6″ high. 53′ containers provide significant cost/cage advantage of40′ containers. A 40′ hallway pod typically supports six spur pods. A53′ hallway pod typically supports eight spur pods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary configuration of pods in a modular vivarium.

FIG. 2 shows three views of pod on adjustable supports.

FIG. 3 shows three views of pod on moveable shuttles.

FIG. 4 shows a view of cage racks in a cage-rack pod.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of portions of two cage racks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For convenience, we identify the following pod types: (1) a holding pod,also called a cage-rack, rack, or animal pod, typically contains anarray of animal cages along each inside long wall. For example, a 40′holding pod might have 6 to 8 rows with 15 to 45 columns of mouse cageson each wall. A 53′ cage-rack pod holds proportionally more cages.Typically, each removable cage slides into a dedicated location for itthe rack, which is permanently attached to the inside wall or floor ofthe pod. Racks are typically pre-wired with permanent intake airplenums, exhaust air plenums, and electrical and electronic wiring. (2)A hallway pod, also called a major axis pod, backbone pod, ordistribution pod. This pod provides flow for personnel and provides HVACand electrical distribution to the side pods. (3) Ingress, egress, or acombined ingress/egress pod. The distal end of this pod provides forpersonnel and optionally some equipment, supplies and animals to enterand leaver the vivarium. Typically it provides changing areas and airshowers for personnel. Typically, it provides an airlock or sanitarytransfer area of movement of supplies, waste, animals and equipment,although this is not a preferred access point for all such. (4)Equipment pod. This pod provides storage and working areas for equipmentincluding optionally procedure and analysis stations. (5) Supplies pod.This pod provides fresh, clean sanitary supplies, such as animal food,animal litter, chemicals, medical supplies, and the like. (6) Waste pod.This pod, which is initially sterile when first connected to the modularvivarium, accumulates waste, such as used animal litter, biologicalwaste, medical waste, and the like. (7) HVACPIT pods, which provide allor a subset of HVAC, Power, and IT services to the modular vivarium.Some pods may have functions described above combined.

The foregoing names and functions of pods are non-exclusive andnon-limiting. Functions of pods may be combined into a single pod. Forexample, ingress and egress may be combined into one pod. Equipment andsupplies may be combined into one pod. One typical arrangement is forall pods except the hallway pod to be connected at right angles, throughspecialized doorways, to the hallway pod. Pods may also be connected atthe ends of the hallway pod. Pods connected at right angles to thehallway pod are called spur pods. The HVACPIT pods may be connected tothe hallway pod. Or, in a preferred environment, the HVACPIT pods arenot connective via doorways, but rather have air plenums and cablesthrough which these pods provide these services to the rest of themodular vivarium. Typically, a pair of HVACPIT pods is used per vivariumto provide redundancy of all or some HVACPIT services.

Turning now to FIG. 1, we see an exemplary configuration of pods in amodular vivarium. Nine pods in five pod types are shown. The spine orbackbone of the configuration is one hallway pod 72. At one end of thehallway pod 72 is an ingress pod 52, connected to the hallway pod atdoorway junction 69. At another end of the hallway pod 72 is an egresspod 64, connected to the hallway pod at doorway junction 65. Three spurpods are shown on each side of the hallway pod 72: four cage-rack pods56, 58, 59 and 61; and two HVACPIT pods 57 and 60. These connect to thehallway pod at doorway junctions. One such doorway junction hasreference designator 71: between HVACPIT pod 57 and the hallway pod.

In one embodiment, ingress pod 52 provides ingress of people at doorway55, with a gown-in area 54 and an air shower area 53. Ingress pod 52 mayhave a supplies-in doorway 50 and a clean storage area 51. Both peopleand equipment from the ingress pod 52 may move into the hallway pod 72through doorway junction 69.

In one embodiment, egress pod 64 provides for egress of people and wasteat doorway 68, with a procedure and surgery suite 63 and equipmentaccess at doorway 62. Area 67 may be used for de-gown and dirty storage.Doorway junction 65 is use for people exit and for two-way animal andequipment movement from and to the hallway pod 72 and staging area 66.Embodiments include the relative arrangement shown of any subset ofthese elements, or expansions as described elsewhere in thisspecification.

Cage-rack pods 56, 58, 59 and 61 may have animal cages in racks 70 wherethe racks are arranged in two rows along the interior sides of the pod,such as pod 58. Cages in racks may be accessed by an automated cageplacement and retrieval device that operates down the corridor of thepod between the rows of cage racks. The automated cage placement andretrieval device may pick up and deliver animal cages at a doorwayjunction, such as 71 with the hallway pod 72.

A procedure station, not shown in the Figure, may be mobile within thehallway pod 72 and align with the spur pod doorway junctions, such as71, and be configured to accept a cage from or deliver a cage to theautomated cage placement and retrieval device.

The procedure station may mate with the doorway junction, such as 71,such that airflow from the spur pod, such as 57, through the procedurestation, and also airflow from the hallway pod interior through theprocedure station, and then both airflows exhaust through an exhaustport in the procedure station, such that gases and potentialcontaminants in the procedure station do not enter or contaminate theair of either the spur pod or the hallway pod.

An alternative embodiment comprises the following pods: (a) one hallwaypod; (b) up to four or up to six holding pods; (c) one ingress/egresspod; (d) one equipment pod; (e) one supplies pod; (f) one waste pod; and(g) two HVACPIT pods. Pods (b) through (f) connect to the hallway pod asspurs. The two HVACPIT pods are configured redundantly and connect tothe one of the hallway pod via supply air plenum(s), exhaust airplenum(s), and cables. In this configuration the interiors of theHVACPIT pods do not need to be sterile. Connecting additional hallwaypods at the end of the hallway pod may expand this configuration.

Pods may be constructed from standard shipping containers, also known asintermodal freight containers. HVAC, power and IT components in theHVACPIT pods may be industry standard components, including residentialgrade components, rather that the expensive, specialized,high-reliability components of vivarium prior art. Cage-rack and otherpods may have an interior treatment such as powder coating, plaster, ora sealed, sterile secondary wall, such as constructed from stainlesssteel panels with airtight connections between the panels. Somepermanent components of pods, such as cage racks, may be installed priorto or after interior treatment. Some permanent components may receiveinterior treatment as the same time as the pod interior.

Access space 73 between spur pods may or not exist. That is, spur podsmay be effectively adjacent to each other. Or, a gap 73 may be present,as shown in the Figure. Gap 73 may or may not be wide enough for serviceaccess.

Pods may be supported on adjustable feet or supports that may raise andlower the pod to align with other pods, and may level the pod. Pods maybe supported on vibration, noise, shock or earthquake isolation feet orsupport. The feet or supports for raising, lower, and leveling may bethe same feet or supports for vibration, noise, shock or earthquakeisolation. Such supports may be inflatable. Additional such supports maybe used for redundant support.

Noise isolation is desirable or required as many noises are foreign tothe native environment of the vivarium animals, and so disturb them, andthus may compromise test results. The type of noises and vibrations toisolate and the level of noise isolation to isolate are determinedspecifically by the noises just so described. In particular, equipmentnoise and vibration, walking and thumps should be isolated.

Due to the automated nature of vivariums of this invention, there isminimal human activity in the animal cage pods. Prior art vivariums havea great deal of human activity and thus cannot isolate from such noises,and thus have minimal need for any or any additional noise isolation. Abenefit of such noise isolation in embodiments herein is the creationand maintenance of more natural, lower-stress environments for theanimals, thus creating higher quality study results.

Pods may be moved into position and aligned using X-Y movable shuttles,whereby shuttle we mean any piece of transport equipment so adapted,whether controlled manual or automatically, and whether powered orunpowered.

Variations from FIG. 1 for claimed embodiments include four stub podsconnected to one hallway pod, with no pods at right angles, such as a“T” formation at the ends of the hallway pod.

Variations from FIG. 1 for claimed embodiments include HVACPIT podsproviding supply and return air services to the hallway pod via externalducting. In one embodiment a HEPA filter is attached to the hallway pod,receiving supply air at the end of external ducting from one or two ormore HVACPIT pods. HVACPIT pods may not necessarily be connected to thehallway pod via human-accessible doorways.

Embodiments include ceiling and floor air ducts implemented by a falseceiling, false floor, or both. Embodiments include doorways whose baseis at the level of a false floor such that the floors of the adjoiningpods and the base of the doorway are free of a threshold. This avoidstripping by personnel and permits carts and equipment to be rolledthrough the doorway. Embodiments include supply air and return airconnections, gasketed similarly to the doorways, located in the ceilingduct area and floor duct areas between two connected pods such that airmay move from connected pods without reducing the height of the doorway.Suitable height for the floor and ceiling ducts is 8″. Suitable size forinter-pod gasketed air opening is 6″ high by 18″ wide. Supply air may bein the ceiling and return air may be in the floor.

Looking now at FIG. 2, we see three views of a pod 83 supported byadjustable feet or supports, hereinafter called supports. Supports maybe paired into a support assembly, not shown. Typically, a minimum offour supports is used, with exemplary supports labeled as 80. Thesupports support the pod 83 on a suitable base, such as concrete,compacted soil, gravel, or other suitable base, shown as 82. In someembodiments additional supports are use redundantly. Two such optionalredundant supports are shown in the bottom view as 81. These redundantsupports are not shown in the side and end views. In some embodimentssupports 80 are inflatable. Such supports may fail: thus the value ofredundant supports 81. Redundant supports 81 may not be the same type ormaterial as supports 80. For example, they may not be inflatable. Theymay be rigid.

Looking now at FIG. 3, we see three views of a pod: a side view 90, anend view 91, and a bottom view 92. Once the pod is in position it istypically supported by four or more supports, 80. Moving the pod intoposition and aligning it may be accomplished by the use of two X-Ymovable shuttles, 93. One method of moving the shuttles in both an X andY-axis is to use perpendicular wheels, such as shown 95. A preferredalternative is to use Mechanum wheels. If Mechanum wheels are used, onlyone shuttle may be necessary to position a pod. The pod may rest on theshuttles 93 via shuttle supports 94, which may be two per shuttle. Ifadjustable, such shuttle supports permit the pod to be leveled in boththe X and Y-axes, as well as to be height aligned with another pod. Analternative method of leveling is to move the pod into X-Y positionusing the shuttles, then lower the pod onto the adjustable supports 80,then adjust the height of the adjustable supports 80 for such levelingand height. Shuttle supports 94 are not strictly necessary as supports80 may be inflated to release the pod from the shuttles 93, then, afterthe shuttles 93 are removed from under the pod, supports 80 are deflatedfor proper leveling and height.

Airflow

In one embodiment, airflow starts with outside air entering an HVACPITpod where it is heated or cooled and humidified or dehumidified asrequired. From the HVACPIT pod the air passes through a source air ductthrough a HEPA filter into a hallway pod. From there, clean air passesthrough a ceiling plenum in the hallway pod for distribution to the spurpods, and optionally to additional hallway pods. Distribution of cleanair from the hallway pod to the spur pods is via gasketed connectionsbetween the hallway pod ceiling plenum and the spur pod. For holdingpods, the clean air enters through the ceiling plenum interface, flowingdownward through a vertical distribution plenum, and from there tohorizontal plenums in the cage racks. The clean air in the cage rackplenums flows into the animal cages. Dirty air from the animal cagesflows into horizontal exhaust plenums in the animal racks back to avertical plenum and from there through a gasketed connection from theholding pod through to a floor plenum in the hallway pod. From their thedirty air flows out of the hallway pod through an optional filter backto the HVACPIT through a duct, or open to the outside air.

In one embodiment the HVACPIT pods have full duplication of one or moreservices. For HVAC, both pods may be running at the same time, or onlyone pod running. Each pod is able to continuously meet all of the HVACneeds of the vivarium. If an HVACPIT pod is out of service, it may berepaired on site or the entire pod replaced by a functioning HVACPITpod.

It is desirable to have the HEPA filter attached to the hallway pod,either inside or outside the container, so that when the ducting betweenthe HVACPIT pod and the hallway pod is opened for service that the cleansupply air in the hallway pod is not compromised.

Note that for the described embodiment above, the hallway ceiling cleanair plenum may be the full width or length or both of the hallway pods.Note that for the described embodiment above, the hallway return, ordirty air plenums may be the full width or length or both of the hallwaypods. That is, there may effectively be a false floor in the hallwaypod.

An advantage of a floor plenum is that the gasketed connections throughthe sides or ends of the hallway pod may constructed free of athreshold. Such threshold-free doorways permit easier access forpersonnel, rolling carts, and automated equipment such as robots.Penetrations for the supply and return air, for the ceiling and floorplenums, may be made left and right of doorway openings, for example,rather than above or below the doorway opening. This permits doorwayopenings to not only be threshold-free but also the maximum height.

Note that is necessary that the supply air always have positive pressureover the return air to assure proper direction of airflow at alllocations. It is also necessary to have positive pressure inside thevivarium interior spaces compared to outside air to assure than for anyair leaks that no pathogens from the outside enter the vivarium.Optional pressure gauges provide feedback to pumps and other equipmentin the HVACPIT pods to insure these requirements.

In one embodiment a secondary heater or cooler is used in the supplyairflow to maintain a more precise temperature control that is providedby the primary equipment in the HVACPIT pod. Such a secondary heater orcooler may be in the HVACPIT pod, or adjacent to a HEPA filter, or inthe hallway pod ceiling plenum or in the supply plenum in the cage-rackpods.

Ideally, all HVAC airflow, pumping, pressurization, and temperature isin the HVACPIT pod or part of the HEPA filter assembly. However, as anexample, commercial grade HVAC equipment may maintain air temperaturewithin a 3-degree or a 5-degree band. A secondary heater or chiller mayprovide clean air within a narrower band, such as within 1 or 0.5degrees.

In one embodiment only one or more HVACPIT pods provide all active HVACfunctions. In this way, the interconnected modular vivarium pods arefree of active HVAC equipment. This embodiment minimizes HVAC equipmentlocations, potential failure points, and chance of either positive ornegative feedback or equipment working at cross-purposes.

The following volumes for air may be defined generally as:

Volume A—Clean supply air.

Volume B—Cage air.

Volume C—Dirty return air.

Volume D—Air around electronics and cabling

Volume E—Air inside the vivarium.

Volume F—Outside, atmospheric air.

Ideally, the following relationships hold between these above airvolumes.

Volume A clean air originates as the output of HEPA filters, which inturn are supplied by treated air from HVACPIT pods. In one embodiment,this air passes through hallway ceiling plenums, through gasketed sealedopenings into vertical plenums in the holding pods, then throughhorizontal duct bars, then into cages via air supply nipples. Note thatas this clean air passes from the horizontal duct bars through the slabsthat this path is sealed from the rest of the slab interior, that is,volume D. Ideally, due to positive pressure with respect to all othervolumes (B-F) and seals, there is no contamination of volume A air fromany other source until this clear air enters the cage.

Volume B air circulates within each separate cage. Air in one cage doesnot mix with any other air, so long as the cage is in the rack. When thecage is removed from the rack the top of the cage is open, so that airin volume B mixes quickly with volume E air. When a cage is removed thenipple at the now A/E interface has limited or no flow and a pressuredifferential so that volume A air is not back contaminated by volume Eair. When a cage is removed the nipple at the now E/C interfaces haslimited or no flow and a pressure differential so that volume C air isnot back mixed into volume E air. In some embodiments the A/B and theB/C nipple may close partially or fully when the cage is removed fromthe rack.

Volume C air is dirty, return air from the cages. This air path is fromthe cage interiors, volume B, through the B/C nipple, into the C channelof the horizontal duct bars. Note that as this dirty air passes into thehorizontal duct bars through the slabs that this path is sealed from therest of the slab interior, that is, volume D.

The interior space of the slab, volume D, includes air aroundprocessors, LEDs, cameras, optics, optical and radio communicationlinks, audio input and output, sensors and other electronics and wiringwithin the slab. This volume is connected through an opening into thecentral, or wiring, channel of the horizontal duct bars. This volume Dair is isolated from volume A, B, and C air. Note that the slab may havesensors in both the supply air volume A and the return air volume C. Thesensors or electrical connections to these sensors use sealedpenetrations into nipples from A to B or from B to C, or sealedpenetrations directly into the horizontal duct channels A or C, or intocage interior B. Thus, such sensors do not alter the air isolations asdescribed. Visual sensors and lights may pass through from the slabinterior D into the cage interior B in either direction without alteringthe air isolations as described. All or a portion of the slab or cagemay be transparent or translucent for these purposes. In addition,sensors, lights, audio, buttons and other elements within the slab mayinterface to the interior of the vivarium, volume E, while maintainingair isolation between volumes D and E. In some embodiments the slapinterior D is open to the vivarium air, volume E, such that air involumes D and E intermix.

Volume E comprises the interior air of the vivarium. Vivarium staff andsome equipment operate within this air. Some supply air from Volume Amay leak or purposefully be provided in to volume E. Some volume E airmay lead or be purposefully vented out in to volume C. Volume E airshould not mix with atmospheric air, volume F. However, any leaks, aswell as ingress and egress cause volume E air to exit into theatmosphere, volume F, due to positive pressure of volume E with respectto volume F. Volume E air exits through

Typically the volume D channels of the horizontal duct bars are open atthe end of the cage racks for wiring. This is the interface pointbetween volume D and volume E air. Such D and E air may freely intermixat these points. In some embodiments, a small flow of volume A air maybe provided into the slab interiors to provide a slow airflow throughthe volume D volumes to remove any gases from electronics, cabling, andleaks from other sources through the horizontal duct bars into volume E.That is, volume D air may be at a slight positive pressure over volume Eair.

Controlled flow from volume A into volume E may provide fresh air forpersonnel and to maintain volume E at positive pressure with respect tovolume F, normal, outside, atmospheric air.

In one embodiment horizontal ducts A, D and C may, in any combination,provide some or all of the support, directly or indirectly, to animalcages. That is, such ducts, in any combination, may be a structuralcomponent of cage racks. Such ducts, in any combination, may be partialor the entire mechanical support for “slabs,” that is, electronicsenclosures, which in turn provide partial or entire mechanical supportfor cages. In one embodiment, the only mechanical support for slabs aresuch horizontal ducts. Slabs may be secured to the bottom of the ducts.Such support may be called, “hanging.” Support connection may be viascrews, rivets, nails, single or multi-part adhesive, hooks, loops, hookand loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, ties, string, cord, rope or cable,permanent or electric magnet, static or electrostatic connection,slides, friction elements, press fit, soldered, braised, welded ormelted, 3-D printing, or other fasteners, singly or in any combination.Support may be permanent or removable. Support may alternatively beunder, from the side, or from the back of the slabs, in any combination.In one embodiment, the only mechanical support for a cage may is itsassociated slab. Such support may be called, “hanging.” Support may bevia any connection method listed above, or another method. Support mayalternatively be under, from the side, or from the back of the cages, inany combination. Ideally, cages slide in and out via passive slides,held in place by friction, gravity, detents, magnets or other simple andpassive mechanism. However, arbitrarily more complex methods andmechanisms may be used to secure cages within a cage rack location.

In one embodiment duct channels for volumes A, C and D, as describedabove, may be combined, in any combination, into a monolithic duct bar.In one embodiment all three volumes are combined into a single duct bar.In one embodiment, the duct bar is extruded, monolithic, PVC. Exemplarycross sectional dimensions for the ducts are 2″×4″ for ducts A and C;and 2″×3″ for duct D. Such dimensions may vary by plus or minus, in anydimension, by ⅛″, ¼ ″, 1/1″, 1″, 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″, 3″, 4″, 5″ or 6″, inany combination. All such combinations are explicitly claimed.

A duct bar refers to any unit, module or length of ducting, which maycomprise one or more interior channels. In one embodiment, duct barsused as structural elements for animal racks may be in any length from 1foot to 60 feet.

In one embodiment of cage racks, the rack comprises one or more “rackstands.” A rack stand may be secured permanently or temporarily to theinside floor of a holding pod, using any of the above connectionmethods. A rack stand may simply rest on the floor, or may be on slidesor wheels. A rack stand may be secured permanently or temporarily to theinside wall of a cage-rack pod, using any of the above connectionmethods. A rack stand may not be attached to the wall at all, or maytouch, lean or rest against the wall. A rack stand comprises one or moreholes or slots through which duct bars are placed. The rack stand(s)supports the weight of the duct bar(s) and any elements the duct bar inturn is supporting. A rack stand may be primarily in the form of sheet.In one embodiment, there is one rack stand between each column of cagelocations. In one embodiment there is one hole in each rack stand forhorizontal duct bar. In one embodiment there is one horizontal duct barfor each row or cage locations.

For example, for a cage rack in a 40′ pod consisting of seven rows and40 columns of cage locations, 39-41 rack stands may be used, each rackstand comprising seven holes, each hole being penetrated by andsupporting one duct bar. A total of seven duct bars are used, each ductbar supporting up to 40 slabs and cages. Some embodiments use fewer rackstands. A 53′ pod holds proportionally more. Note that 53′ containersare 9′ 6″ compared to 8′ 6″ high for a standard 40′. Thus, they supportmore rows as well as more columns. A high-cube 40′ is also 9′ 6″ high.

An exemplary holding pod might comprise two such exemplary cage racks,one along each long wall.

Suitable numbers of rows are 4 to 40. Suitable numbers of columns are 4to 300. However, typically the number of rows and columns in maximizedsubject to the size of the cages and the size of the available space fora cage rack.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 we see one embodiment of a cage-rack pod 106 comprisingtwo, two-dimensional cage racks running the length or nearly the length,such as at least 90% or at least 95% the length of the pod, proximal toeach long wall of the cage-rack pod. There is a single isle between thetwo cage racks such that a robot moving along a single linear path mayaccess any cage in any rack, retrieve that cage and deliver it to thesingle cage-rack pod doorway. It may also place or return cages theirhome or to any other cage location within a cage rack. Here we see cagesin 7 rows, although other numbers of rows may be used.

Regarding FIGS. 4 and 5, numeric designators apply to both Figures. 101is a portion of a long wall of a hallway pod. 102 shows one of two dualvertical plenums, where each vertical plenum provides both supply andreturn air for cage racks proximal to one wall of the cage-rack pod. 103show the location of the doorway between the hallway pod and thecage-rack pod; the doorway itself and the sterile seals are not shown.104 show the location of a ceiling plenum in the hallway pod. 105 showsan HVAC or IT pod. 106 shows the outline of the cage-rack pod, such asan outline of a container. 108 shown a cross-section view of a triplechannel duct, where such duct supports its row of cages and providessupply airflow and port, return airflow and port and a cable duct foreach cage. 109 shows the front of a one animal cage. 110 show the pullhandle for one animal cage. 111 shows the electronics “slab” above eachcage.

Note that a novelty of this vivarium is that all necessary components ofthe vivarium are either transportable pods or are in transportable pods.Because of the complete, rather than partial, modularity, all pods maybe sized, pre-made and pre-configured for optimal compatibility with theother pods and an assembled modular vivarium constructed of such pods.For example, a single hallway, maximally configured with spur pods andingress/egress, supply/waste pods represents the maximum load that oneHVAC pod and one IT pod may service. If the vivarium is then expanded byadding a second hallway pod, then the new maximum configuration may beserviced by adding one more HVAC pod and IT pod or optionally one moreHVACPIT pod.

Note that any necessary power for the vivarium may be provided by anHVAC pod (actually an HVACP pod, then) or by an IT pod (actually a PITpod, then), or by an HVACPIT pod. “Power” typically means UPS power(Uninterruptable Power Supply) for standard electrical needs and alsoany low-voltage or specialized power that might be needed, alsoconfigured via a UPS.

Additional Embodiments

Embodiments and combinations below show additional features andlimitations that are claimed, in any combination, in conjunction withother embodiments, claims, limitations, features and drawings.

Embodiments wherein the cage-rack pods have a single doorway;embodiments wherein a single doorway connects a cage-rack pod to ahallway pod when the pods area connected.

Embodiments wherein doorways are free of doors. In particular,embodiments wherein the cage-rack pod is free of a door.

Embodiments wherein at least one door used to seal for sterility a podduring transport is not hinged. Embodiments wherein all doorways incage-rack pods are free of an operable door.

Embodiments wherein at least one door used to seal for sterility a podduring transport is a single use seal, not a re-usable door.

Embodiments wherein at least one door in a doorway between pods, whenclosed, is flush with the wall of the pod.

Embodiments wherein all doors in doorways between pods, when closed, areflush with the wall of the pod.

Embodiments where a sterile seal for a doorway is free of a door.

Embodiments wherein in a cage-rack pod two cage racks extendcontinuously for at least 90% or at least 95% of the length of the pod,measured using the interior side of exterior walls.

Embodiments wherein a cage-rack pod is free of walls to partition thepod into interior portions of which function is other than holding andservicing cages.

Embodiments wherein an HVAC pod interior air is not sterile except forair in ducts for the purpose of moving sterile air.

Embodiments wherein HVAC services for the modular vivarium are providedexternal to the pod cluster.

Embodiments wherein IT services for the modular vivarium other thanswitches and associated power supplies are provided external to the podcluster.

Embodiments wherein all cage racks in a cage-rack pod are parallel withand proximal to a long wall of the cage-rack pod.

Embodiments wherein a cage-rack pod comprises exactly one isle betweencage racks.

Embodiments wherein the only source of sterile supply air for acage-rack pod is from a hallway pod via disconnectable ducting.

Embodiments wherein the only outlet for air from animal cages in acage-rack pod is to a hallway pod via disconnectable ducting.

Embodiments wherein the airtight junctions provide earthquake motionisolation between the pods it connects up to a predetermined relativemotion distance; wherein the airtight junctions provide rigid mechanicalconnectivity between the pods it connects for relative motion beyondpredetermined distance such that the airtight seal of the airtightjunction is not broken during such motion.

Embodiments wherein the modular vivarium cluster further comprises amobile workstation in a first hallway pod wherein the mobile workstationmay be placed in the junction between a first cage-holding pod and thefirst hallway pod and wherein the mobile workstation, when so placed,creates a workstation air seal between the first cage-holding pod and aninterior volume of the mobile workstation such that air flows from thefirst cage-holding pad into the interior volume of the mobileworkstation; wherein air flows from the first hallway pod into theinterior volume of the mobile workstation; and wherein air exits theinterior volume of the mobile workstation through a mobile workstationair exit plenum.

Embodiments wherein the modular vivarium cluster provides the followingservices within the cluster: vivarium animal holding cages; vivariumanimal air supply and exhaust; vivarium temperature regulation; vivariumanimal procedure stations; automated vivarium animal cage transport;vivarium data sensors, data collection, and data switching;

Embodiments wherein pods are manufactured from standard shippingcontainers.

Embodiments wherein the HVACPIT pods provide at least one of theservices to the cluster from the list of: {vivarium air supply;regulated power; IT services}.

Embodiments wherein interconnecting proximal doorways on thecage-holding pods and the hallway pod; and interconnecting proximaldoorways on the one or more HVACPIT pods with the hallway pod such thatair inside the cage-holding pods, the air in the hallway pod, and theair inside the at least one HVACPIT pod remains sterile, such that afterinterconnection people may move through the interconnected doorwaysbetween interconnected pods.

Embodiments wherein a method of assembling a modular vivarium comprisingthe additional step of: leveling each of the plurality of cage-holdingpods with one or more adjustable pod supports after the each pod isplaced and prior to an unsealing step.

Embodiments wherein a method of assembling a modular vivarium comprisingthe additional step of: moving each of the plurality of cage-holdingpods into their each placing position by two movable shuttles, the twoshuttles supporting the weight of the each cage-holding pod, the movableshuttles being movable in two orthogonal axes.

Embodiments wherein a method of assembling a modular vivarium wherein:the two movable shuttles are powered for movement in the two orthogonalaxes.

Definitions

“Dynamic”—Means may be performed without interrupting the operation ofan operating vivarium in the cluster.

“HVAC”—Means “heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.”

“HVACPIT”—Means any combination of HVAC, power supply, and IT services,in various combinations, ideally with redundancy of all such services.HVAC pods and IT pods may be separate pods or may be combined into oneHVACPIT pod.

“IT”—Means “information technology,” such as industry standard switches,routers, servers, ISP connections, and the like.

“IT pod”—Means a pod that provides IT services to the vivarium.

“Shipping container”—Means an ISO Standard intermodal shippingcontainer, including but not limited to ISO 668:2013 Series 1 and ISO1496-1:2013 specifications, and later ISO specification that supplementor supplant these. Sizes included the scope of “shipping container”include 20′ container, 40′ container, 40′ high-cube container, 45′ highcube container, 48′ container, 53′ container and 60′ container. Alsoincluded are nearest metric standard containers to the prior list. Alsoincluded are standard military containers, some of which comply with ISO668 1D, 1E, and 1F Standards. A preferred embodiment uses 40′ high-cubeand 53′ containers, in any combination.

“Sterile interior air”—Means pathogen-free interior air, in the contextand meaning in the operation and art of operating vivariums.

“Pathogen-free”—Means the population of microbes, including but notlimited to bacteria, viruses, prions and toxins, relevant to anexperiment, test or study (“study”), is sufficiently reduced to meet theneeds of the study, or to impact or alter study results, or to alter thecredibility or repeatability of study results, for studies using thevivarium, and to not impact the health, performance or behavior of thetarget animal population in the vivarium or of the workers.

“Subset”—May include any non-zero number of elements from a set,including all elements from the set.

“SWITCH”—Means the normal IT definition of “switch,” e.g., layer 2 IPframe forwarding. A switch may provide additional functions, includingrouting, security, redundancy, and other such functions available to ITindustry “switch” components.

“T-formation”—Means nominally at right angles, although other anglesmight be used, such as for an italic “T.”

“Two-dimensional” or “2D”—With respect to cage racks refers to cages orcage racks in an X-Y grid, such as each of the two cage-racks in FIGS. 4and 5.

Ideal, Ideally, Optimum and Preferred—Use of the words, “ideal,”“ideally,” “optimum,” “optimum,” “should” and “preferred,” when used inthe context of describing this invention, refer specifically a best modefor one or more embodiments for one or more applications of thisinvention. Such best modes are non-limiting, and may not be the bestmode for all embodiments, applications, or implementation technologies,as one trained in the art will appreciate.

All examples are sample embodiments. In particular, the phrase“invention” should be interpreted under all conditions to mean, “anembodiment of this invention.” Examples, scenarios, and drawings arenon-limiting. The only limitations of this invention are in the claims,including amended or continuation claims.

May, Could, Option, Mode, Alternative and Feature—Use of the words,“may,” “could,” “option,” “optional,” “mode,” “alternative,” “typical,”“ideal,” and “feature,” when used in the context of describing thisinvention, refer specifically to various embodiments of this invention.Described benefits refer only to those embodiments that provide thatbenefit. All descriptions herein are non-limiting, as one trained in theart appreciates.

Embodiments of this invention explicitly include all combinations andsub-combinations of all features, elements and limitation of all claims.Embodiments of this invention explicitly include all combinations andsub-combinations of all features, elements, examples, embodiments,tables, values, ranges, and drawings in the specification and drawings.Embodiments of this invention explicitly include devices and systems toimplement any combination of all methods described in the claims,specification and drawings. Embodiments of the methods of inventionexplicitly include all combinations of dependent method claim steps, inany functional order. Embodiments of the methods of invention explicitlyinclude, when referencing any device claim, a substation thereof to anyand all other device claims, including all combinations of elements indevice claims.

I claim:
 1. A modular vivarium comprising a cluster of pods comprising:one or more transportable cage-rack pods, each comprising one or morepermanent doorways; one or more transportable hallway pods, eachcomprising two or more permanent doorways; wherein a first cage-rack podis removably joined to a first hallway pod such that a first permanentdoorway on the first cage-rack pod is mated to a first permanent doorwayon the first hallway pod via a first sterile pod junction; wherein theone or more cage-rack pods and the one or more hallway pods compriserespective interior volumes; wherein the respective interior volumes aresterile; wherein the first sterile pod junction permits airflow betweenthe interior of the first cage-rack pod and the interior of the firsthallway pod and wherein the sterile pod junction does not permit airflowbetween the interior volume of either pod connected via the sterile podjunction and air outside the cluster of pods; wherein the cluster isdynamically expandable by removably joining a second cage-rack pod tothe cluster or by removably joining a second hallway pod to the clusteror by removably joining both a second cage-rack pod and a second hallwaypod to the cluster; wherein such joining mates permanent doorways on therespective pods and such joining is via at least a second sterile podjunction; wherein the first doorway of the cage-rack pod and the firstdoorway of the first hallway pod are closed during transport of therespective pods and open when the respective pods are removably joinedvia the first sterile pod junction; wherein the first doorways of thecage-rack pod and hallway pod, and the sterile pod junction, are adaptedso that when the respective pods are joined, a pre-existing sterility ofthe interior volumes of the respective pods is maintained.
 2. Themodular vivarium of claim 1 wherein: the width of the one or moretransportable cage-rack pods is no greater than eight feet six inches.3. The modular vivarium of claim 1 wherein: the width of the one or moretransportable hallway-rack pods is no greater than eight feet sixinches.
 4. The modular vivarium of claim 1 wherein: the firsttransportable cage-rack pod comprises an automated mechanism adapted toretrieve a selected cage from a cage rack inside the first cage-rack podand deliver it to the first doorway of the first cage-rack pod while noperson is inside the first cage-rack pod.
 5. The modular vivarium ofclaim 1 wherein: the cluster is dynamically expandable by removablyjoining an ingress pod by mating a first permanent doorway on theingress pod to a second permanent doorway in a pod in the cluster via atleast a third sterile pod junction; and wherein the ingress podcomprises a second permanent doorway on the ingress pod; and wherein theingress pod is adapted for personnel to enter the ingress pod via itssecond permanent doorway and exit the ingress pod via its firstpermanent doorway.
 6. The modular vivarium of claim 1 wherein: thecluster is dynamically expandable by removably joining a firsttransportable HVAC pod; wherein the first transportable HVAC podprovides sterile air to the cluster; and wherein the first transportableHVAC pod is no wider than eight feet six inches.
 7. The modular vivariumof claim 6 wherein: the cluster is dynamically expandable by removablyjoining a second transportable HVAC pod; wherein the secondtransportable HVAC pod provides sterile air to the cluster; and whereinthe first and second transportable HVAC pods are adapted to operateredundantly such that a failure of either HVAC pod does not cause thecluster to lack sufficient sterile air for vivarium operation.
 8. Themodular vivarium of claim 1 wherein: the cluster is dynamicallyexpandable by removably joining a first transportable IT pod; whereinthe first transportable IT pod provides IT services to the cluster; andwherein the first transportable IT pod is no wider than eight feet sixinches.
 9. The modular vivarium of claim 8 wherein: the cluster isdynamically expandable by removably joining a second transportable ITpod; wherein the second transportable IT pod provides IT services to thecluster; and wherein the first and second transportable IT pods areadapted to operate redundantly such that a failure of either IT pod doesnot cause the cluster to lack sufficient IT services for vivariumoperation.
 10. The modular vivarium of claim 1 wherein: the firsttransportable cage-rack pod further comprises: a two-dimensional arrayof animal cage racks; wherein the two-dimensional array of animal cageracks comprises: a first duct adapted to provide fresh air to each cageplaced in the cage rack; a second duct adapted to exhaust used air fromeach cage place in the cage rack; and a first plenum adapted to carry acommunication cable to each cage location in the cage rack.
 11. Themodular vivarium of claim 1 wherein: the first transportable cage-rackpod further comprises: a first two-dimensional array of animal cageracks located on a first wall of the first transportable cage-rack pod;a second two-dimensional array of animal cage racks located on a secondwall of the first transportable cage-rack pod; the first transportablecage-rack pod comprises an automated mechanism adapted to retrieve aselected cage from a cage rack inside the cage-rack pod and deliver itto the first doorway of the cage-rack pod while no person is inside thefirst cage-rack pod; and the width of the first transportable cage-rackpod is no greater than eight feet six inches.
 12. The modular vivariumof claim 1 wherein the cluster comprise: two or more transportablecage-rack pods; one or more transportable hallway pods; one or moretransportable ingress pods; one or more transportable egress pods; twoor more transportable HVAC pods, adapted to operate redundantly; two ormore transportable IT pods; adapted to operate redundantly; wherein thetransportable HVAC pods may be the same pods as the transportable ITpods; wherein the transportable pods are no wider than eight feet sixinches.
 13. The modular vivarium of claim 1 wherein: the first sterilepod junction is adapted to provide vibration isolation between two podsremovably joined by the first sterile pod junction.
 14. The modularvivarium of claim 1 wherein: the first sterile pod junction is adaptedto provide earthquake motion isolation between two pods removably joinedby the first sterile pod junction, up to a predetermined limit ofmotion, such that earthquake motion up to the predetermined limit ofmotion does not break the sterile air seal provided by the first sterilepod junction.
 15. A modular vivarium comprising a cluster of podscomprising: a first transportable hallway pod; two or more transportablecage-rack pods, each removably connected to a side of the first hallwaypod and extending outwards from the first hallway pod; wherein eachcage-rack pod and the first hallway pod comprise respective interiorvolumes; wherein the respective interior volumes are sterile; one ormore transportable service pods adapted to provide a first subset ofsuch services from the set: {fresh, temperature controlled air; power;information technology}; at least one airtight pod junction wherein theairtight pod junction is adapted to permit airflow between a first podinterior air volume and a second pod interior air volume wherein theairtight pod junction joins the first and second pods and the airtightpod junction does not permit airflow between the first and second podinterior air volumes and air outside the pod cluster; wherein thecluster further comprises a first worker access pod removably connectedto the first hallway pod via a second airtight pod junction; wherein thecluster is then dynamically expandable by adding additional cage-rackpods up to a predetermined maximum number of removably attached pods tothe hallway pod; wherein the modular vivarium is free of permanentbuildings.
 16. The modular vivarium of claim 15 wherein: alltransportable hallway pods in the cluster, and all pods in the clusterconnected to a transportable hallway pod via an airtight pod junction,are constructed from ISO intermodal containers.
 17. The modular vivariumof claim 15 wherein the cluster of pods further comprises: the firstworker access pod is removably connected to the cluster at a first endof the first hallway pod via an airtight pod junction in a perpendicular“T” formation; and wherein the first worker access pod comprises anaccess door at each end of the first worker access pod and each accessdoor provides a door between the interior of the first worker access podand outside the cluster of pods.
 18. The modular vivarium of claim 17wherein the cluster of pods further comprises: a second worker accesspod removably connected to the cluster at a second end of a secondhallway pod via an airtight pod junction in a “T” formation; and whereinthe second worker access pod comprises an access doorway at each end ofthe second worker access pod and each access doorway provides a doorwaybetween the interior of the second worker access pod and outside thecluster of pods; wherein the first and second hallway pods may be thesame hallway pod and the first and second ends of hallway pods aredifferent ends and the first and second worker access pods are differentpods.
 19. The modular vivarium of claim 15 wherein: each airtight podjunction is adapted to permit connection and disconnection of junctionpods on each side of the junction such that the previously sterile airin the interior volume of such junction pods remains sterile.
 20. Themodular vivarium of claim 15 wherein: a first cage-rack pod comprisestwo rows of animal cage racks proximal to a common cage access area; andwherein the animal cage racks comprise animal cages; wherein the firstcage-rack pods comprises an automated cage retrieval and placementmechanism adapted to move any desired animal cage, in either animal cagerack, between its associated location in the animal cage rack and theairtight pod junction of the first cage rack pod; such that no person isrequired to be in the first cage-pod during cage retrieval or placement.21. The modular vivarium of claim 15 wherein: the cluster comprises twoor more transportable service pods; the two or more transportableservice pods are adapted to operate redundantly; wherein eachtransportable service pod is adapted to provide all of the necessarypower to operate the modular vivarium.
 22. The modular vivarium of claim15 wherein: wherein the cluster is dynamically expandable by theaddition of one or more additional transportable hallway pods; whereineach additional transportable hallway pod connects to the cluster at theend of an existing hallway pod via an airtight pod junction.